Is your organisation making these common website mistakes? Here's how to fix them
For many, your website is your digital storefront (even if you aren’t selling products)—it’s often the first impression potential customers get of your business. But is your site unknowingly driving visitors away due to common website mistakes?
A well-optimised website should be visually appealing, easy to navigate, and accessible to all users. However, many businesses make costly web design mistakes that hurt user experience, search rankings, and conversions.
In this guide, we’ll walk through the five most common website mistakes and provide actionable solutions to fix them.
1. Cluttered Layouts: Less is more
A cluttered website overwhelms visitors, making it difficult for them to find key information. Too many elements, excessive text, and chaotic visuals can frustrate users and lead to high bounce rates.
How would I know if this is a problem?
- Check your website analytics – if visitors quickly leave your website without engaging with content.
- Are you getting leads or are users struggling to find key information or contact details.
- Your website metrics will show high bounce rates and low conversion rates.
How to fix cluttered website layouts
- Use a clean, structured layout with ample white space.
- Stick to a consistent color scheme and easy-to-read typography.
- Limit the number of CTAs on a page to avoid overwhelming users.
- Organise content in a logical flow that guides visitors toward key actions.
2. Slow Load Speeds: The Silent Conversion Killer
Did you know that 53% of users abandon a website if it takes more than three seconds to load? A slow website affects both user experience and search rankings. Common culprits include large images, excessive plugins, and low-quality hosting.
How would I know if this is a problem?
- Visit your site and see if pages take longer than three seconds to load.
- Users complain about slow performance.
- Google PageSpeed Insights shows poor scores.
How to fix slow load speeds
- Compress images before uploading them to improve website speed.
- Minimise JavaScript and heavy scripts to speed up performance.
- Use a Content Delivery Network (CDN) to optimise load times globally.
- Choose a high-quality hosting provider to ensure fast and reliable performance.
Bonus Pro Tip: Check your website speed with Google Lighthouse insights
3. Poor Mobile Experience: Don’t Ignore Mobile Users
With over 60% of web traffic coming from mobile devices, an unresponsive website can cost you valuable leads. If visitors have to pinch-to-zoom, deal with broken layouts, or experience slow mobile load times, they’re likely to leave.
How would I know if this is a problem?
- Your website looks different or broken on mobile devices.
- Navigation is difficult on smaller screens.
- Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test flags issues.
How to fix poor mobile experience
- Implement responsive design so your site adapts to different screen sizes.
- Test your site on multiple devices and browsers to ensure smooth usability.
- Prioritise mobile-friendly navigation with clear menus and tap-friendly buttons.
Learn how to test your site’s mobile-friendliness
4. Weak Calls to Action (CTAs): Guide Your Visitors
A website without clear CTAs is like a salesperson who never asks for the sale. Visitors need to know exactly what steps to take—whether that’s signing up, making a purchase, or contacting you for more information.
How would I know if this is a problem?
- Low conversion rates despite high traffic.
- Users visit multiple pages but don’t take action.
- CTAs blend into the background and are easy to miss.
How to fix weak Calls To Action
- Use action-driven language like “Get Started Today” or “Download Your Free Guide.”
- Ensure CTAs are visible, using contrasting colours and strategic placement.
- Keep forms simple and friction-free to encourage conversions.
See examples of high-converting CTAs
5. Neglecting Accessibility: Inclusive Design is Smart Design
Website accessibility is often overlooked, but it’s crucial for ensuring that all users—including those with disabilities—can navigate your site. Poor contrast, missing alt text, and lack of keyboard navigation can alienate a significant portion of your audience and negatively impact SEO.
How would I know if this is a problem?
- Users with disabilities struggle to use your website.
- Low contrast makes text hard to read.
- No alt text on images or missing keyboard navigation.
How to fix poor website accessibility?
- Follow Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) to make your site inclusive.
- Use high-contrast colors for readability.
- Add descriptive alt text for images to help visually impaired users.
- Enable keyboard navigation so users can navigate without a mouse.
Check your site’s accessibility with WAVE Web Accessibility Tool
Wrapping It Up: How to Take Action
Understanding the most common website mistakes is the first step—but knowing how to fix them is where the real challenge lies. You’ve seen how tools like Google Lighthouse, Mobile-Friendly Tests, and WAVE Accessibility Tool can help diagnose issues. But without the expertise to interpret the results and create a clear action plan, you might end up exactly where you started.
That’s where we come in.
Our Website Report service helps uncover hidden issues with your site and provides a detailed roadmap on how to fix them. Instead of guessing what to do next, you’ll get expert analysis and a tailored action plan to enhance performance, usability, and conversions.
Not sure where to start? Get in touch with us today to discuss your website concerns, or book a Website Report to gain deeper insights into what’s working and what needs improvement.
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A well-optimised website is the foundation of your digital success. If you’re struggling with common website mistakes, we can help!
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